Interim Head of Legal - First Legal Hire

Michael Page (UK); West Midlands Combined Authority; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading not-for-profit housing provider seeks a Head of Legal to shape their first in-house legal function. This interim role offers the chance to impact governance and compliance while working in a mission-driven environment that values inclusion and community investment. Ideal candidates will possess extensive legal team-building experience and strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Benefits

Flexible, agile working environment

Unique opportunity to establish a new legal function

Qualifications

• Proven experience of building in-house legal teams.
• Experienced in tendering and managing external law firm panels.
• Strategic thinker with excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing the organisation's first in-house legal team.
• Advising on governance, compliance, and risk frameworks.
• Leading the re-tender process for appointing panel law firms.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Legal operations

Compliance

Governance

Interpersonal skills

Education

Solicitor qualification or equivalent

Job description

• Shape an in-house legal function from day one
• Interim leadership role with permanent potential

About Our Client

This award-winning, not-for-profit housing provider manages thousands of homes across the Midlands. With a strong social mission, they reinvest profits into community initiatives, sustainability projects, and affordable housing developments. Recognised for employee engagement and inclusive values, they offer a collaborative, agile working culture and a real opportunity to make a social impact while shaping a brand-new legal function.

Job Description

The Head of Legal will be:

• Designing and implementing the organisation's first in-house legal team
• Interviewing key stakeholders to assess legal needs and current arrangements
• Drafting role profiles for new legal positions
• Planning and establishing systems, processes, and procedures
• Leading the re-tender process for appointing panel law firms
• Advising on governance, compliance, and risk frameworks
• Supporting strategic goals around development and service delivery

The Successful Applicant

The Head of Legal should be:

• A solicitor (or equivalent) with proven experience of building in-house legal teams
• Confident in engaging senior stakeholders and assessing organisational legal needs
• Skilled in developing legal operations, systems, and procedures
• Experienced in tendering and managing external law firm panels
• Adept in compliance, governance, and housing-related legal matters
• A strategic thinker with excellent interpersonal skills

What's on Offer

• Interim contract: 4 days/week for 3 months, £500-600/day, outside IR35
• Unique opportunity to establish a new legal function
• High-level visibility and influence from day one
• Potential for the role to become permanent
• Work with a mission-led, nationally recognised organisation committed to inclusion, innovation, and community investment
• Flexible, agile working environment with real impact

If you're an experienced Head of Legal, apply now or contact Michael Bailey for more information.